Four for Fownes as King of the Valley moves to top of city circuit standings

A Caspar Fownes quartet provided him with his best individual meeting haul since his Sha Tin five-timer in June 2021 and propelled the King of the Valley to the top of this season’s city circuit standings.

The Happy Valley victories of Loyal Ambition, The Hulk, Kokushi Musou and Winning Icey saw Fownes visit the winner’s circle for the most times in a day since the Sha Tin successes of Joy Master, Killer Bee, Lucky Quality, Sky Field and Southern Legend.

Last term, Fownes celebrated only 22 wins at Happy Valley, but his Thursday night haul saw him not only exceed that tally with 11 meetings at the city circuit still on this season’s programme – he is on 23 – but also leapfrog Francis Lui Kin-wai (22).

After saddling only two winners in both February and March, Fownes crashed out of contention for a fifth trainers’ title and revised his objectives for the campaign. His main aim is to pose for more victory photographs at Happy Valley than any other trainer.

“The horses have been running well. We’ve had a few butcher rides, which in this game is a nightmare because that’s the races they’ve got to be able to win when they have their chance,” Fownes said.

“If you can’t capitalise, it just becomes so tough. You’ve got to make each race count. Hopefully, we can go on and snag a few more and get my title back at the Valley. That’s all I’m after this season.”

Loyal Ambition won the Class Five Flamingo Flower Handicap (2,200m) to shed his maiden tag on his 23rd start. Vincent Ho Chak-yiu made a bold mid-race move aboard the eight-time placegetter, and the Germany-bred stayer plugged on to beat Ai One by one length.

“I’m very happy to have jockeys riding good races for me. I need all the help I can get, so it’s wonderful,” Fownes said of Ho’s smart ride.

The Hulk had not placed in any of his seven runs over Happy Valley’s 1,650m before he won a messy second section of the Class Four Kalanchoe Handicap. Luke Currie kept his mount out of trouble and the veteran scored by one and a half lengths from Red Elysees.

“He’s been quiet. He’s a consistent horse. We felt it was time to bring him to Happy Valley. When he drew gate one, we were happy,” Fownes said of The Hulk.

Kokushi Musou got reward for his consistently good performances when he won the second section of Class Four Oncidium Handicap (1,200m) under Alexis Badel, for whom the Fownes-prepared sprinter brought up a meeting double following his victory on Gang Of Brothers in the Kalanchoe Handicap’s first section. Kokushi Musou defeated Denfield by half a length.

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Winning Icey won the Class Three Primula Handicap (1,200m) in a thrilling finish to the final race on the card, fending off odds-on favourite Hoss by a short head. It was Luke Ferraris’ second success on the night and stopped Zac Purton notching a treble.

Away from Fownes, the training performance of the meeting belonged to Chris So Wai-yin, whose Strive For Glory won the Class Five Geranium Handicap (1,000m) under Ferraris. Backing up four days after finishing fourth from gate 11 at Sha Tin, Strive For Glory made every yard from gate 12 at Happy Valley.

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